Everton are set to sign the midfielder Darron Gibson from Manchester United on Friday for £500,000.

The 24-year-old Republic of Ireland international is out of contract at the end of the season and will become David Moyes's first permanent signing for a year.

Gibson has fallen out of the reckoning at United despite their injury problems and has made two appearances this season.

He was among the players dropped, with Wayne Rooney, for a meal out on Boxing Day evening. Moyes is without injured midfield players including Jack Rodwell and Leon Osman and has not replaced Mikel Arteta since the Spaniard joined Arsenal.